The Biggest Question of All

Andrew

“I understand.”

“Do you?” Lanie cocked her head. “Because I don’t think you get how badly you hurt me. How …” She sucked in a ragged breath. “Never mind. Forget it.”

“No,” I sharply said, taking another step in her direction. There was still so much space between us, but I didn’t want to push my luck. “Tell me. Please.”

Her eyes shone from the tears lingering there. “I thought you were the one. The person I’d waited my whole life for. And then, when you broke up with me, I had to deal with moving on from that. With accepting that I’d lost the best thing I’d ever found.”

“I know what that feels like,” I solemnly answered.

Lanie warily watched me, waiting.

“I’ve lost so much, Lanie,” I breathed. “My wife. The most special moments of Raven’s childhood and teenage years. You.” My voice snagged, and I had to clear my throat. “Which is why I know now that I can’t afford to lose anything else. I can’t let anything good slip through my fingers.”

Lanie’s softly-curved lips trembled. I l